WORLDWIDE TIDBITS

TRAVEL UPDATES

Luggage allowances have changed so much over the last year, and not to the benefit of travelers, that it pays to check out each airline's allowance before you buy your tickets!

Packing lightly is not a common habit and airlines, struggling with dwindling passengers and higher operating costs are looking at every possibility to close the gaps on their earnings, reducing weight allowance as well as the number of pieces that can be checked in without paying extra.

International flights offer more generous allowances than domestic flights (in general two pieces of 20kg/44 lbs each), so make sure you verify what the cost is going to be for your excess luggage when you transfer from an international flights with two suitcases to a low cost flight which allow you only one with a lower weight allowance.

Passengers with over weight luggage will be paying for each extra kilogram or pound an astronomical price, because it is usually calculated as a percentage (in the range of 1% to 2%) of the full ticket fare per extra kg of weight, per flight.

The more generous allowances associated with travelling to and from the USA still seem to be in effect though!

HEALTH UPDATES

Do you have the Yellow Book ? This manual, which publishes information on the latest health risks for travellers, is produced by the CDC as a guide mainly to health professionals, but could be useful to world travellers too. The latest edition is the 2010 from Elsevier Publishing. To get a hard copy or an online edition click here.

Travelling on holiday? Make sure that you check what to be vaccinated for two months before you leave to ensure that you can get all the vaccinations you need in a timely manner! Where? Click here

When a portion of a population opt not to get vaccinated it may results in the rise of diseases that were once under control. For example, Australia is having a problem with whooping cough (read more).

MY TRUTH ABOUT LIVING IN...

We learn from others, so at Paguro we have started a new section where life experiences about starting life in a new place can be shared. We begin with a little known city in Australia. In fact where everyone has heard of Sydney, Perth and possibly Melbourne as expat destinations, what about Brisbane?

Ilse Broekaert and Shirley Ferguson share their view about living in "sunny Brissie".

Learn from an expat about this great city and what it is like to live there. As with everywhere, it isn't always smooth sailing, however the weather can be good and the beaches are wonderful!!!

The Sun always shines in the Sunshine State by Ilse Broekaert We arrived in Brisbane, my husband and I, on a cold rainy wintery day and that shattered my first preconceived image of Sunny Brissie, especially when the rain and cold continued for three entire weeks until mid-August. Therefore contrary to what you may believe, you do needwoollen jumpers and duvets in this sub-tropical climate... click here to continue

Living in Brisbaneby Shirley Ferguson We lived in Brisbane for nearly three years and found the culture and the way of life to be like a sunnier, friendlier Britain. There were enough similarities to make us feel quickly at home... click here to continue

EXPAT SURVIVAL GUIDE

PAGURO BuZz - Where expatriates come together to share articles, news, opinions, events, post ads and much more

About to shed your skin before moving to other shores? Buy sell exchange forum on Paguro BuZz is there for you.

Searching for answers to your most perplexing questions about living abroad? Take advantage of the forums. Share your experiences and opinions too.

Trying to keep up with the Jones, Changs, O'Briens, Fernandez, Jensens, Dubois, Lis, and the Papadopoluous? Let us help. Each Paguro member has a personal web-space - mypaguro, to publish writing, news, article, images and decide who to share them with (few friends or the world).

Not a member yet? Get hold of your personal shell, the one that will keep growing and never needs to be left behind, join Paguro now!

Itching with curiosity about bank holidays around the world? Check this site.

Etiquette

What may be acceptable or even expected in your home country may be totally unacceptable in your host country, so find here few tips about do's and dont's in certain situations in Australia, Mexico and Nigeria.

Australia

Australia is known for its happy go lucky, laid back attitude. Australians from all walks of life and socio-economic classes see themselves as equals and do not like it when others think they are better than they are. Thus they tend to address everyone in a similar manner. So, their plain speaking is not them being rude necessarily, it is just the way Australians communicate!

Australians like to show you are accepted by teasing you in front of the group. Making fun of someone who is not present is deemed as rude. It is very important if you are invited to have a drink with a group and someone buys you a drink that you reciprocate and also buy a 'round' or drink for everyone in the group. Not to do so is seen as taking advantage of them.

Mexico

Mexicans are most conscious of professional heirarchies and so like to be formal and use professional titles. Therefore it is important not to use the title 'señor', which is for people who may not have received a college degree. If you do not know the appropriate title deserved, you should at least use 'licenciado'. These titles may be given up over time, but are of import at the beginning of any business association.

Socially, Mexicans tend not to be on time. In fact, it can be considered rude to be punctual to social events. Arriving half an hour late is acceptable if not expected, however other people may be even an hour late. Such attitudes do not extend to business situations however. Wish to learn more? Click here

Nigeria

Nigeria is an heirarchical society where the old are revered and treated with the utmost respect. The elderly are spoken to first, served first and turned to for advice.

Greetings are considered important and some time is taken over them. People enquire about the family's health etc.

Business is conducted very formally here so be ready to shake hands and present business cards. As a sign of professionalism and courtesy make sure you study the person's business card before you put it away. Have your titles and further degrees printed on your business cards.

If you receive a gift, please remember to accept it with both hands (or at least only the right hand!) and do not open it right there and then. It is not customary for you to open the gift in front of the giver! If invited to someone's house, make sure you bring a gift with you - flowers, chocolates etc.

Communication in Nigeria may be sometimes difficult as the Nigerians are not straightforward and do not always say what they think. Body language plays a big role in communication, but not with all Nigerians, so it is a good idea to get to know the people slowly. The Nigerians do not always look directly at a person either. Do you wish to know more? Click here

FIND, CONNECT, SHARE with PAGURO

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----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Paguro’s mission is to establish a multi-lingual network of networks whose scope is to enhance the quality of life of expatriates and their families by providing relevant information, support and a collaborative space both to expatriate families and corporate.

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Hope we covered some of your suggestions adequately. But if you're still unsatisfied don't hesitate to keep 'em coming.